Federal Communications Commission
Washington, D.C.
“2ND” Emergency Connectivity Fund Window Opens: September 28 to October 13 for School and Library Purchases
The Federal Communications Commission has received requests for $5.137 billion to fund 9.1 million connected devices and 5.4 million broadband connections as part of the $7.17 billion Emergency Connectivity Fund Program. The first filing window, which closed August 13, 2021, attracted applications from all 50 states, American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands and the District of Columbia – including schools and libraries in both rural and urban communities seeking funding for eligible equipment and services received or delivered between July 1, 2021 and June 30, 2022. In view of outstanding demand and the recent spike in coronavirus cases, the FCC will open a second application filing window for schools and libraries to request funding for connected devices and broadband connections for off-campus use by students, school staff, and library patrons for the current 2021-22 school year.
The second 15-Day window will open on September 28 for School and Library purchases in the 2021-22 school year. During the second application filing window, which will run from September 28 to October 13, eligible schools and libraries can apply for financial support to purchase eligible equipment and services for students, school staff and library patrons with unmet needs. The funding is available for the purchase of laptops and tablets, Wi-Fi hotspots, modems, routers, and broadband connections for off-campus use by students, school staff, and library patrons in need, and is available to support off-campus leaning, such as homework, even if schools have returned to full time in-person instruction.
A state-by-state breakdown of funding demand is available in the attached official News Release: FCC Announces Over $5 Billion In Funding Requests Received in Emergency Connectivity Fund Program.
More information on the Emergency Connectivity Fund program is available at: www.emergencyconnectivityfund.org
[ … ]